![Watershed Tackles Flowering Rush in 4 Becker County Lakes](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/09/Lake-Water.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Watershed Tackles Flowering Rush in 4 Becker County Lakes
DETROIT LAKES -- A watershed district in Detroit Lakes has been successful at preventing a non-native species from taking over four Becker County lakes.
The Pelican River Watershed District began tackling the invasion of flowering rush six years ago by doing basic scientific research on how the plant grows and thrives. The district spent about $25,000 a year on research.
John Madsen, who worked for the district at the time, found that applying herbicide underwater was most effective.
Assistant administrator Brent Alcott says researchers have found success when they dig up the plant rhizomes after multiple herbicide treatments. It takes about three years to see a significant reduction in flowering rush, and it requires annual herbicide applications to control the invasive plant.
Herbicide treatments cost about $50,000 a year.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)